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President Obama vowed in his State of the Union address to make assisting domestic manufacturers a top priority for his second term.
Karen Mills -
One of the most important tools we have at the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reach high growth entrepreneurs is the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program.
Karen Mills
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Small businesses want things streamlined, and one of the great successes we're having is less paperwork, faster turnaround times.
Karen Mills -
I think we've learned that the S.B.A. plays a critical role in providing access and opportunity when the market is not providing that access. We help banks get that money out into the hands of important and viable businesses, particularly those owned by minorities, women, immigrants and veterans.
Karen Mills -
As I've traveled around the country, it has surprised me how many times I've heard people in small businesses use that word 'saved.' I believe many small businesses would not have had access to credit and would not have survived without the $50 billion that we were able to put into the market.
Karen Mills -
If you want to have prosperity here, we really have to see our small businesses able to grow and compete around the world.
Karen Mills -
Our economy creates and loses jobs every quarter in the millions. But of the net new jobs, the jobs come from small businesses: both small businesses on Main Street and many of the net new jobs come from high growth, high impact businesses that are located all across the country.
Karen Mills -
Health care is the No. 1 concern of small businesses and the status quo is untenable.
Karen Mills
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I saw the S.B.A. with just enormous potential, and that's what I told the president - this is really a jewel.
Karen Mills -
We were able in the Recovery Act to get a program where we increased our loan guarantees to 90 percent. Because we had that program, a bank wouldn't have to take that much risk.
Karen Mills -
Small businesses pay 18 percent more than big businesses for health care, the same health care, just because they're small and they have too small a pool of risk.
Karen Mills -
I grew up in a family business... that really has provided the core of my belief in American small business, and in America's ability to grow and operate important businesses that can compete and be successful.
Karen Mills -
It's not government that creates jobs; it's small business. Our job is to make sure they have the access to capital, the access to contracting opportunities, and the help, advice and mentoring that they need to go out and be successful.
Karen Mills -
This is not a zero-sum game. We know that if we provide access and education, particularly where there are gaps in the market, we will create more jobs, we will create more growth, and we will create more activity in the U.S. market, which will be good for our economy.
Karen Mills
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The S.B.A. does not lend directly to businesses, but instead backs loans to encourage banks to invest in small businesses as part of a nearly $90 billion portfolio.
Karen Mills -
We are not going to be the agency where large businesses can masquerade as a small business and get a contract. We are closing down on fraud, waste and abuse.
Karen Mills -
One of the most important things we hear is the S.B.A. needs to be ubiquitous. We do all these things, but people still don't know.
Karen Mills -
We really accomplished what we set out to do with the Recovery Act programs, which was to fill the lending gap created by the crisis.
Karen Mills -
We see entrepreneurship and small businesses and supply chains as a critical part of the economic growth and competitiveness agenda.
Karen Mills -
We don't want to give a business that is not going to come through the troubled waters a loan that they can't pay back.
Karen Mills
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Small businesses have told us that having cash in their pocket is one of the primary things that they need.
Karen Mills -
We have to keep the momentum going in the economy. And we have to make sure that we give small businesses as much cash and liquidity as possible so they have the confidence to hire that next worker.
Karen Mills -
After four years as Administrator of the SBA, I have let President Obama know that I will not be staying for a second term. I will stay on until my successor is confirmed to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.
Karen Mills -
Small businesses are really the engine in the economy.
Karen Mills